Rugby: Fijian Kubu out as Kenya Simbas step up preps for final World Cup qualifier

Rugby
By Washington Onyango | Oct 23, 2022
Kabras Sugar's Jone Kubu. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Two-time Kenya Cup champion and new Simbas star fly half Jone Kubu has been ruled out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final Qualification Tournament (repechage) slated for November 6 -18 in Dubai.

The Simbas, who missed out on direct qualification to the 2023 Rugby World Cup after finishing second in July's Rugby Africa Cup following their loss to Namibia in the final, have been in residential camp for the past week as part of their final preparations.

Kenya Simbas team manager Jimmy Mnene confirmed Kubu had been ruled out of the travelling squad set to depart the country next weekend after picking up an injury to his left wrist.

"We have commenced treatment and are monitoring his progress. As a technical team led by Paul Odera, we shall walk the journey with him."

"We are not sure in terms of what date he will return to training and return to play would be, but we know he is out of the Simbas Repechage campaign. We wish him all the best in his recovery," said Munene.

The Fijian's absence is a big blow to Simbas as first choice fly half Dominic Coulson, who started all the matches in the Rugby Africa Cup, had already been ruled out of the team due to school commitments in the United Kingdom.

Kenya will play USA, Portugal and Hong Kong in the four-team tournament in Dubai and the eventual winner of the tournament will be the final team to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Share this story
Will Kenya become the first African country to host World Championships?
Kenya will know in September this year whether it will host the 2029 or 2031 World Athletics Championships, the most prestigious international track and field event.
Defending champion Korir faces world champ Simbu in Boston
Organisers have confirmed that eight of the top 10 finishers from the 2025 Boston Marathon will return to the World Athletics Platinum Label road race on April 20.
Ebenyo among stars to battle for glory in Mumias
World Cross Country Championships bronze medallist Daniel Simiu Ebenyo is among more than 500 athletes set to compete during the penultimate leg of the second season of Betika BingwaFest.
Kipchoge urges corporates to continue supporting sports
Kenya is preparing to host one of the two international annual shows in 2026.
USIU-A target podium finish at ACCC
The students are in Group A alongside Egyptian giants Sharkia and Port Fouad
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS